What is Atopic dermatitis?
The term ‘Atopic’ refers to allergic reactions and ‘dermatitis’ is a condition of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic type of skin condition and most common type of eczema. It represents in the form of dry, red itchy rashes which are more frequently present on cheeks, arms and legs.
Atopic dermatitis is very common in childhood, which normally happens in the first 6 months of a infant’s age. The condition normally improves in the course of time and may subside till the child reaches adolescence, but sometimes it may take severe forms and remain for a very long time. There can be relapses of his condition in the later periods of the life also. It has been observed that this condition of skin is usually accompanied by asthma and hay fever.
Homeopathic medicines have proved their worth par excellence in treating the cases of atopic dermatitis. Consulting the best homeopathic doctor for skin can help children and adults in permanently getting rid of this problem.
Causes
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown, but researches say that it is caused due to the combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Filaggrin is a protein that is found on the top layer of our skin. It is responsible for maintaining a protective barrier for the top layer of the skin, which does not allow the moisture to escape and give protection from other opportunistic bacterias and viruses. It has been found that in people suffering from atopic dermatitis, filaggrin producing gene gets mutated and does not function properly.
Other than this, there may be several other lifestyle and environmental triggering factors, some common ones include:
- Soaps, detergents and other cleaners
- Regular, long duration of hot shower or baths
- Sweating
- Wool and synthetic fibres
- Exposure to allergens like pollen, dander, dust
- Cold, dry weather
- Scratching
- Stress, etc
Sign & Symptoms
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition of the skin and may remain for very long period of time. Symptoms might sometimes subside, but it keeps on coming back, unless properly treated.
There are slight differences in the symptoms of atopic dermatitis depending upon the age in which it happens, like if it happens in infants, rash is usually present on scalp or cheeks. Skin becomes, dry, itchy and scaly. Due to itching, child may have difficulty in sleeping and regular scratching predisposes the skin to various infections. There might also be exudation of fluid from the rashes.
In children, it is mostly present in the crease of elbows or knees or both. Rashes may also be present on neck and face, especially around the eyes. The skin becomes leathery and thick with light and dark spots. The skin becomes extremely dry with scaly skin at the site of the rashes.
In adults, who had atopic dermatitis in childhood may have discoloured skin, which gets easily irritated when exposed to any allergen or triggering agent.
Risk Factors
While identifying the triggering agent for causing the reaction, it needs to be kept in mind that it is not certain that the reaction will come just after exposure. It might take some time after the exposure to develop the allergic reactions.
Some common risk factors may be-
- People who have excessive dry skin, which easily becomes scaly and rough
- People who are regularly exposed to chemical irritants like dry cleaners, surface cleaners and disinfectants, etc.
- Stress
- Excessive hot/cold climates
- People who are regularly exposed to allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander.
- Due to hormonal imbalances, etc
Homeopathic Treatment Atopic Dermatitis
Homeopathy provides excellent treatment in the case of atopic dermatitis. The approach of treatment in this condition is same as for any other chronic skin disease. Constitutional medicines given on the basis of individual symptoms are known to do wonders in such cases.
Homoepathic medicines significantly reduce the chances of relapsing of conditions in the future, once they are treated. To get the best results and permanent treatment of the disease from roots, patients should look for the best homeopathic doctor for skin in his approach.
Therapeutically, some most common homeopathic medicines prescribed for atopic dermatitis are: graphites, sulphur, natrum mur, calcarea carb, sepia, etc.